We have been able to spy more of Torgan and his forces in action, and we have the grim news that the Ice Walls we discussed in our first report are just the beginning of the ways they use ice in battle.

Torgan sometimes uses his Summoning Stone to form protective armor for his troops out of ice! They look like bizarre arctic crabs or turtles, but it is effective. They are trained in using it, so if they wish they can take a defensive stance, in which the most vicious attack can do nothing more than shatter the ice protecting them.

And Torgan is not the only one in his army who can invoke magic to work the ice. There is a champion in his force who can make Ice Walls shatter. Sometimes this just results in the destruction of the wall, but usually it makes the wall explode with deadly shards to all nearby.

Even some of the common troops use ice to their advantage. We were very displeased to see that Torgan has archers among his forces. These are the first reliable missile units we have seen the Tundra Orcs muster. Not only are they more dependable than Grognack's Shamans, but when they are next to one of their walls they draw on them to strengthen the destructive power of the arrows they shoot -- which are tipped with ice, of course.

What's more, we have seen another champion among them who has taken this ability to a master's level. The normal Shooters can only draw on one wall at a time, but this champion can draw on every wall near her. When you combine this talent with Torgan's ability to moves his Ice Walls around, it can be truly terrifying.

Unfortunately, this is not the end of surprises. We have more to spy out, and we'll tell it as soon as we know it.

Posted by Bryan StoutBryan Stout is a contributor to PlaidHatGames.com

I am quite pleased over this new stuff, far better then first preview for Torgan. Ice Armor is awesome and I can think of a ton of uses for it. It might actually be fun on fighters to help sustain a fury push.

Shooters are fun, pretty similar to a mix between Stalwart Archers and SO Hunters. I'm a fan of range and these guys will really make that FL matchup on Horror far better.

Krom looks fun as well. Combined with Torgan and his events i can see giant blocks of ice being used as the SW equivalent of hand grenades. Good statline too, compares favorably to poor Gruggar. I still love you though Gruggy, i have a place for you.

Grok is interesting. It'd be difficult to get more then 1 extra av, but with ice armor and 7 health she has time to get set up in a good spot.

Shooters are also only 1/1 for 1. Shamans have that extra tankiness and shootiness that is useful against 2 life Common decks like Vanguards. I'd say Shooters are good for Torgan, but less for Grognack.

Krom and Grok are really cool champs. When deck-building, these second summoners really bring in some tough choices when selecting 3 champions, especially for factions with already good champs like this one.